Fly to Lima, Peru's historical capital. Later enjoy your first taste of Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant.
This morning embark on an informative tour of Lima, formerly known as the '˜City of Kings'. Kick your Peruvian adventure off with a mouth-watering culinary tour. Begin by gathering your ingredients from the local markets before heading to the kitchen workshop where a local chef will teach you how to prepare some traditional Peruvian delicacies. After lunch, visit Lima's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre with its striking colonial architecture. Later uncover the fascinating Huaca Pucllana, an ancient pyramid built by a pre-Incan civilisation known as the Lima culture. Take in the sights and sounds of the bohemian Barranco district this afternoon before becoming acquainted with pisco, Peru's national drink, at an insightful pre-dinner tasting session
Fly to Cusco. Transfer to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas home to Incan citadels and beautiful landscapes. Stop at a small and scenic town otherwise hidden in the Peruvian Andes, to learn from a member of the local families all the intricacies of traditional iconography. At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel in Sacred Valley.
A visit to Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo offers a journey through Peru's rich history and breathtaking landscapes. In Maras, you'll explore the stunning salt manes, where families harvest salt in ancient terraced pans. Moray unveils impressive circular terraces, thought to be an agricultural laboratory of the Incas, showcasing their advanced farming techniques. Finally, in Ollantaytambo, you'll wander through a living Inca town, with its massive stone fortress and narrow cobbled streets, offering a glimpse onto ancient Andean civilization. Today's activities will be undertaken at high altitudes.
This morning you'll board the Vistadome train and begin your epic rail journey to Machu Picchu. Travel through stunning Andean mountain landscapes as you make your way to the small town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Ascend to the citadel and spend some time exploring these extraordinary ruins. Abandoned by the Inca in the 16th century, Machu Picchu came to international attention when it was stumbled upon by Hiram Bingham in 1911. It is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore the small town of Aguas Calientes, visit the thermal baths for a relaxing soak or purchase a second entrance to visit Machu Picchu again. In the afternoon take the train back to Poroy and transfer to Cusco.
After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour of Cusco, the Imperial Capital of the Incas. Start at Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Church, where you'll discover the sacred site once adorned with gold and life-size golden statues. Next, visit the Cusco Cathedral, home to stunning Cusco School paintings and intricate gold and silver reliefs. Participate in a traditional Quechua ritual with a Shaman, offering thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth). This evening enjoy a vibrant folklore show featuring traditional music and dancing.
Travel from Cusco to Puno, journeying through the spectacular Peruvian highlands on board a train that offers four dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board.
Journey by boat across Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros, which are
constructed entirely from reeds. Spend some time exploring and meeting the local Uros people before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taquile. Once a stronghold of the Inca, you'll find wonderful textiles here. After your tour of the island, head back to Puno.
Today start early to travel towards Chivay village, passing through Lagunillas and Tocra along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos, Andean ducks and llamas. Reach Pata Pampa at 4,820 metres altitude, where you can admire the volcans of Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca and Mismi (the source of the Amazon River), as well as views of the Cordillera de Chila. Once in Chivay, enjoy the view of the terraces of the Colca Valley before bathing in the natural hot springs (optional).
Depart Colca and travel to Arequipa. En route, head to Condor Cross where the views of the Colca Canyon are breathtaking '“ keep an eye out for a condor or two gliding on the thermals. You'll also visit several of the valley's villages and viewpoints. On arrival, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Peru's spectacularly situated second city is set to a backdrop of volcans and is home to stunning colonial architecture. Today you'll visit the Carmon Alto viewpoint before exploring the Yanhiara Quarter and admiring the UNESCO-listed Plaza de Armas and the Monastery of Santa Catalina. Later this afternoon, take a flight back to Lima, with a farewell dinner this evening.
Fly to New Zealand, arriving home two days later.
